Emcor group, inc. reports first quarter 2015 results
Norwalk, conn.--(business wire)--emcor group, inc. (nyse:eme) today reported results for the first quarter ended march 31, 2015. for the first quarter of 2015, net income from continuing operations attributable to emcor was $33.2 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $43.3 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2014. revenues in the first quarter of 2015 were $1.59 billion, approximately the same as revenues in the year ago period. operating income for the first quarter of 2015 was $55.3 million, or 3.5% of revenues. operating income for the first quarter of 2014 was $72.1 million, or 4.5% of revenues. selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2015 first quarter were $161.6 million, or 10.2% of revenues, compared to $143.9 million, or 9.0% of revenues, in the year ago period. the company's income tax rate in the 2015 first quarter was 37.9%, compared to an income tax rate of 37.7% in the year ago period. backlog as of march 31, 2015 was $3.74 billion, an increase of 11.0% from $3.37 billion at the end of the 2014 first quarter. domestic backlog grew by $380 million, reflecting backlog growth in our u.s. electrical and mechanical construction segments, slightly offset by declines in backlog in our u.s. building services and u.s. industrial services segments. backlog growth in the commercial, transportation, industrial, water/wastewater and hospitality/gaming sectors was offset by declines in backlog in the healthcare and institutional sectors. total backlog of $3.74 billion as of march 31, 2015 increased by 2.8% from $3.63 billion as of december 31, 2014. tony guzzi, president and chief executive officer of emcor group commented, “the first quarter proved to be more challenging than we had originally anticipated as we encountered two external factors beyond our control: refinery turnaround project deferrals in our u.s. industrial services segment, as a result of the refinery operators’ strike, and the extreme cold weather which caused reduced work days in certain areas of the country in our u.s. electrical construction, mechanical construction and building services segments. moving forward, the outlook for our businesses remains very positive as we generated impressive backlog growth and a strong book to bill in the quarter. as most end markets we serve steadily improve, we remain optimistic about increased revenues and profits as the year progresses.” mr. guzzi added, “our u.s. building services segment had a strong quarter, despite a tough comparison to the first quarter last year, led by improved performance in our mobile mechanical services operations. our u.s. mechanical construction segment performed well, increasing operating income while growing backlog in the quarter. our u.s. electrical construction segment had a weaker quarter compared to last year’s first quarter but based on its increased backlog, we expect its performance to improve as the year advances.” mr. guzzi concluded, “our diverse backlog grew in most of our market sectors and is a strong indicator that our businesses are strengthening. we are confident in our ability to achieve our 2015 financial objectives, which should be favorably impacted by anticipated accelerated construction revenue growth, by margin expansion in our u.s. building services segment, and by our overall strong backlog. we remain focused on pursuing opportunities to invest in our future growth, maintaining a liquid and strong balance sheet, and delivering value to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.” the company stated that, based on the current size and mix of its backlog and assuming improvement in current market conditions, it continues to expect 2015 revenues to be approximately $6.6 billion. also, the company continues to expect diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to be between $2.65 to $2.95. emcor group, inc. is a fortune 500 leader in mechanical and electrical construction services, industrial and energy infrastructure and building services. this press release and other press releases may be viewed at the company’s web site at www.emcorgroup.com. emcor group's first quarter conference call will be available live via internet broadcast today, thursday, april 30, at 10:30 am eastern daylight time. you can access the live call through the home page of the company's web site at www.emcorgroup.com. this release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the private securities reform act of 1995. any such comments are based upon information available to emcor management and its perception thereof, as of this date, and emcor assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. these forward-looking statements may include statements regarding market opportunities, market share growth, gross profit, backlog mix, projects with varying profit margins, and selling, general and administrative expenses. these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. accordingly these statements are no guarantee of future performance. such risk and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, adverse effects of general economic conditions, changes in the political environment, changes in the specific markets for emcor's services, adverse business conditions, availability of adequate levels of surety bonding, increased competition, unfavorable labor productivity and mix of business. certain of the risks and factors associated with emcor's business are also discussed in the company's 2014 form 10-k and in other reports filed from time to time with the securities and exchange commission. all these risks and factors should be taken into account in evaluating any forward-looking statements. emcor group, inc.financial highlights(in thousands, except share and per share information)(unaudited) condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months endedmarch 31, emcor group, inc.condensed consolidated balance sheets(in thousands) march 31, 2015(unaudited) december 31,2014 emcor group, inc.condensed consolidated statements of cash flowsfor the three months ended march 31, 2015 and 2014(in thousands) (unaudited) 2015 emcor group, inc.segment information (in thousands) (unaudited) for the three months ended march 31, for the three months ended march 31,
